But thanks to a new system - recognised in the finals of the prestigious national 2012 Advancing Healthcare Awards - the situation has been improved. The waiting list was eliminated within twelve months of the clinic’s operation. Dr Dickey, who has almost 1500 patients with coeliac disease attending his clinics, said: “At the start of 2012, nearly 400 patients with coeliac disease were overdue their consultant review appointment.” He said that he and dietician Joy Whelan discussed setting up a weekly clinic where these patients were seen by a dietitian instead of a gastroenterologist. Ms Whelan said patients were interviewed, had standard blood tests taken and received dietary advice as required, with more detailed dietetic follow-up arranged where needed.